Such a day! MUSICA
Music’s playing, Vanna’s ready, (corduroy turquoise skinny pants, yellow gauze top, silver sandals, orange toenails ~ she must be freezing) ~ I’m ready too, are you?
You’ve been very patient, but now’s the time . . . Our little tea/winter/romance kit is going to one of you soon! “Silver Fish” (aka Vanna), has jumped into the vat of almost 5000 names (including 
all your wonderful comments from the Address Book Giveaway, really Girls, you are too ← much♥). She is scissor-kicking to the bottom, the names are whirling and sloshing around like the inside of a laundromat washing machine. I think she’s chosen the name because she’s breast-stroking her way straight to the top now ~ out popped her delicate little pink hand, gold charm bracelet tinkling like bells, her blue eyes looking over the top of her yellow sunglasses as she hands it over. I’ve got it! My heart is racing.
And the winner for our special Valentine’s Day Prize Package is!!!!!! . . . . . deep breath. Are you ready? I really hope it’s you, I SO hope it’s you. But be forewarned, there are other gifts coming sooner than you think, so steel yourself in case isn’t you. Ready? (I really don’t like this part, in case you can’t tell) One person happy, vs ALL PEOPLE HAPPY? (Ohhhh, to be Oprah.) But here we go . . .
Oh! (reading) This is nice! It’s a mother-daughter team, our winner is the very L U C K Y Linda Wiernusz and her 13-year-old 
daughter ♥♥Sophia! I sure hope that’s YOU! Please look for my email in your box, Linda, write me back and let me know where to send your goodies. Congratulations! I know I speak for all of us when I say we hope you and Sophia have a wonderful tea party! Everyone is happy for you . . .
See what I mean? Paul too . . . He’s thrilled for you!
And now, for everyone else, perhaps, at this point, you are thinking . . .
Because I understand, and you know I’m right with you,
. . . so, here’s some magic for you (don’t run away, because there’s more), ease the pain dearest ones by clicking HERE, 
and print out a brand new bookmark (use card stock if you can) with those “magic” words on it (you’ll remember the sentiment from your new calendar) . . . just for you ♥ ~ something to give away to the Valentine’s in your life. Everyone’s a winner in Smallville.
More cheering-up necessary? No problem, I’ve been waiting for this all week . . . Let’s take our mind off our no-teapot sorrows and go look at wildflowers in England! Forget real life, snow and traffic, let’s look at fields of blooming color . . . with nature’s MUSICA . . .
I know this does not look real, but magic never does, that’s how you know it’s magic. These are bluebells, they come to England 
every spring, see the little meandering path that goes through them? We are there, walking along and smelling the flowers. Rachel wrote and told me the bluebells are coming up now! They run rampant, I mean rampant, all over the English Countryside. This really exists, not just in this one place, but everywhere. Isn’t that shocking? I thought so too.
There is no fresher air than being in the deep woods with a mile of bluebells around you and birds going wild all around you.
These are the bluebells at Rachel’s mum’s house, grab a handful for your kitchen counter.
I had to paint one ~ I did this when we were in England on a page of one of my old English garden books, now stuck in my diary. I love that this writer calls bluebells “clever” for learning how to grow in deep shade where other flowers fail . . . thereby owning the woodlands themselves. “A carpet as blue as the sky!”
Here are some of the “thousands” of green things vying for the sunshine. People here are so lucky , they run outside and bring in the MOST amazing vases of flowers. Free, God’s gift.
Here we are driving through the Yorkshire Dales. Even now, alone in my studio, when I look at this, little screams emit (not from remembrance of Joe’s driving, but from how much I adored the Yorkshire Dales).
It wasn’t really Joe, it was road width and curvature. But look at the countryside! Rock walls, hedges, wild flowers and stone cottages . . . this is the Lake District, the place that so inspired Beatrix Potter. Gee, I wonder why. Deep breath, Ommmmmm.
ommmm
ommm
Here we are, up close with the cow parsley that lines all the country roads with frothy white flowers in May . . . it’s also called wild chervil and wild carrot, we call it Queen Anne’s lace. Of course, being magical, the story of cow parsley is filled with lore, including superstitions about the safety of your relatives if you bring it into the house. Children made whistles and pea shooters from the hollow stems; whole weddings have been concocted from it.
“Of what are you afraid, my child?” inquired the kindly teacher. “Oh sir! The flowers, they are wild, replied the timid creature.” ♥ Peter Newell
This wildflower has the best name, it’s called a fairy foxglove ~ we saw it at the ruins of King Richard III’s castle in Middleham, which was begun in 1190 (still there, filled with the story of time, and waiting for YOU), a massive very impressive ruin with no roof, but with most walls and stone stairways intact (it’s in the middle of the Dales, a wonderful place to poke around ~ look at the picture on the cover of A FINE ROMANCE ~ We had just taken the right turn to get to Middleham).
Here’s the very next photo I took after the one I used for the book. It shows why the roads are so narrow: they were made for horses! Rock walls, stone houses, and deep hedgerows come right to the edge. You’d have to dismantle the entire country to widen them. “Slow” is right; this is a two-way street, and our side is the left side. Me? I’m really close to those walls, could reach out the window and touch them. My squeeking mantra to Joe on that trip (who was incongruously sitting behind the steering wheel on my right side) was “eeep, get over.”
I digress, back to wildflower magic . . . in this photo I’ve climbed to the top of the castle, the fairy foxgloves grow all over it, right out of the stone walls!
Proof positive, the impossible happens all the time!
This isn’t a field of wildflowers, but I had to show you the view of the countryside from the top of the castle. How is this for “real?” Works for me!
This too, this field of buttercups is at Rachel’s parents house.
That’s me, with Rachel’s nephew Will, laughing ourselves silly, enjoying the face and gleeful road-runner qualities of the happiest dog in world.
Had to bring them home some of Rachel’s Buttercups to dry them for “our book.”
This goes on and on . . . I’m not sure what town we’re in here . .
but this is the Peak District, the view from the porch of the cottage we rented in Wirksworth.
And this is the most magical of them all. OK, that’s probably wrong. Because how do you choose just one. But this is Stourhead, 2,650 acres of stunning everything, long walks in beautiful woodlands (covered in bluebells in the spring), lakes, ponds, lambs, bridges, follies, a twelfth century church, a pub, a castle . . . and this is the grass bridge. We stayed in a stone house on the grounds, walked miles every day, fell in love with it, and had a wonderful picnic here on the lawn on the left.
This is my diary from the day of the picnic in 2004, that’s Rachel and me in a photo Joe took . . . this is the diary I kept on our first visit that inspired A FINE ROMANCE ~ so I will never forget that in short there’s simply not, a more congenial spot, for happily-ever-aftering, than here in Camelot.
These are wild orchids. Wild. Orchids. And waaaaay over there, peeking around the tree, is one of the many magical “follies” at Stourhead called the Temple of Apollo.
You can see it a little better in this photo . . .
and even better here . . . you can walk up to it and sit on the porch and look at the view if you like ~ if you’re lucky it will be pouring rain . . .
XOXOXOX
just like it was in my favorite scene in my favorite production of Pride and Prejudice. Which I just watched the other day, here in Smallville, with my nap blanket. Which anyone can do.♥ Aren’t the actors wonderful? Heart palpations galore.
And that’s all for today, Girlfriends. Hope you enjoyed our little “mini break” and feel refreshed for all that will go on in your own little Smallville today. You can tell I’m in a good 
mood! Those flowers cheered me right up! Off to paint more for our next year’s calendar (btw, some are asking, I believe there are a few wall-calendars left at Amazon!) Next time, maybe we’ll take a stroll into my small town so you can see the winter streets of the Haven. Would you like that? Plus, Downton, we have so much to talk about! Don’t forget to go back and get your bookmark! The days are longer now, have you noticed? XOXO Have a wonderful day!♥
On a very cold, grey and damp day here in Eastern England its lovely to see all the Spring flowers in your photos.Its definitely time for arm chair gardening in readiness for Spring and Summer.
It’s that time of year . . . anticipation!
Dear Susan,
Ohhhhh beautiful happy day ! What a lovely escape into spring ! Makes me excited for our SPRING, but, I am enjoying where I am right now in the middle more or less in WINTER ! Snuggled in reading, walking, taking care of my grandbabies ! My little Tuck is just like Nannie in Peter Pan, so mindful of the babies, I really am amazed at this 1 and 1/2 year old pup ! I think being raised together is a good thing ! I am so happy for the Mom and daughter team to win the most beautiful prize of all ! Oh so lucky ! They will make such wonderful memories and that is what it’s all about ! Thanks dear sweet Sue, you know how to do it right ! Bless you ! Love, hugs, and kisses, Wendy Louise
Love you Wendy xoxo
1st – ♥ Congratulations to Linda & Sophia ♥! And then, 2nd, Blue Bonnets on a flag greeted me at my GF’s yesterday for Sewing Club – a lovely surprise on a cold, foggy January Day! Love your beautiful pictures & the stroll down memory lane, a must is to reread my “A Fine Romance”, again! Now, I can get out of my flannel pjs & robe, dress warmly & get on with my day because dear Sue I got to visit with you! Thank you! Happy day to all!!! xoxoxo!!!!!!! (had to put in more !!!!!s for Blog Daddy!!!!)
I’m so there with you Joan! !!!!!!!!!
I so enjoy your posts! It was wonderful to see the flowers blooming and what a joyful poocher dog!
I know, the smile on his face was amazing, plus he was running back and forth, leaping and jumping like a little maniac!
Oh the flowers and birds chirping…sigh….it won’t be long now because we have turned the calendar page and will soon turn it again! Spring is coming…it really is…8 weeks from this coming Friday! I know we would all love a blog about the streets of “Smallville” of your town. Now about Downton: nothing earth shattering but little snippets of knowledge of BIG things to come. What do you think Thomas is up to? Nothing good for sure! And of course Mary would be seen! Happy January Day, Susan.
Yeah, Downton. Tomorrow night. I’m gearing up already.
Well, that was just the best way to start my day! I learn something new every time I visit. Thank you for encouraging me to make my own little corner more lovely.
Have a beautiful day!
It’s the only thing we truly have any power over, so making the best of it is making the BEST of it! 🙂
Congrats to Linda and Sophia ! Thank you, Susan for sharing your gorgeous photos with us ! Will have to get some work done first…but today might be a day to sit with a cup of tea, snuggled under something warm, and peruse garden catalogs…planning for spring ! Your photos have me dreaming of warmer weather and flowers,, lots of flowers ! Hope everyone has a wonderful day ! xoxo
What new thing are you going to try this year?
♥ Good~Morning My Sweet Sue! I Have The Exact Same Outfit as Vanna! (I’m Not Kidding! 🙂 ) I Love Today’s MUSICA! You Make Feel So YOUNG! Sing it Frankie! 🙂 Okay Congratz to Very Lucky Linda & Sophia! Yay! & You Are Right Sweet Sue We Are “All~Winners” Thank~You For The Very Magical Bookmark! Yay! & This Amazing Lovely Flowery Blog~Post! I Love Wild~Flowers & These Photos are Scrumptious! 🙂 (When I Was Pregnant with My Jonathan My Doctor Always Called Me “Buttercup” for Real 🙂 ) I Feel Your Bright Cheerful Springtime Joy Sweet Sue You Have Warmed Us Up Like a Lovely Cuppa Hot~Chocolate! Thank~You! Oh & Yes I’ve Noticed The Days are Longer….Last Night as Herbster & I Were Sitting on The Back Porch I Turned to Him & Said….”Herbster Look…It’s 6:15 & it’s Not Dark Yet!” 🙂 Amazing! Warm Hugzzz a bit of Pixie~Dust & Always Lots Of Love Sweet Sue! xoxo Poof! ♥ 🙂 ♥ 🙂 ♥ 🙂 ♥ 🙂 P.S. Can We Talk? DOWNTON~ABBEY! OMG! 😉
Twitterville Was So Much Fun This Morning! Thank~You Sweet Sue! I’m Doing The Jiggity~Jig! xoxo Poof! 🙂 ♥
Knock~Knock….Ding~Dong! Hello!??? Sweet Sue Look Above This…. I Think I Got Lost In Blog~World Again! Yikes! lol xoxo Poof! 😉
We do get on a roll sometimes, don’t we Angie!
Warm Hugzzz & Good~Monday Morning Sweet Sue Yes We Do! Tweeting in Twitterville is Always Fun! Downton~Abbey Was Scrumptious Last Night! 🙂 & Wishing You Warm & Cozy Thoughts for The Snow~Storm! xoxo Poof! ♥ 🙂 ♥
Thank you Angie, it’s going to be a good one!
You sound so HAPPY to day dear Angie! Love it!
Joy Fills My Soul Most Every Day Sweet Sue! Amen! xoxo Poof! 🙂 ♥
Hi, Susan! We’re having quite a snowfall here in Ohio right now. It’s so beautiful against the pine trees. I do love winter-BUT- I ADORE spring, so thanks for the unbelievably glorious pictures! Spring really is right around the corner!;)
Our winter has been cold, but not wet . . . I could use one big heavy snow storm before it’s all over.
…well, good morning !!..seems if you don’t have your snow by now, a very good snowfall is coming your way tomorrow and tuesday !..’will make great winter photography on “Martha’s”.. enjoy !! ( I watch the weather carefully in your area, being as my daughter is a commuter; she always tells me not to worry, but I do anyway..)…take care..
If we get a good one, I’m walking into town tomorrow with my camera!
…’can’t wait to see your photos of the”Haven” blanketed in pretty snow !!… enjoy !!
Won’t be long now!
The photos are pulling at my heart strings. I yearn for another trip to the UK. I have such fond memories of my trips over to that beautiful country and am always so sad when it’s time to leave. May have to watch Miss Potter or Sense and Sensibility or Pride and Prejudice or Calendar Girls …..I have so many that I love to watch over and over. The UK is a magical place.
M A G I C A L. We are so lucky it’s in the world with us. There’s lots of hope where there is magic.
I can’t wait to see for myself! I’ve been dreaming of going since I read your book. Going today to meet up with two others who “followed your path” to the English countryside after reading your book, so they can help me plan! Thanks so much for sharing your wonderful journey!
Well, say Hi for me, and have fun with the planning!
Congrats to Linda and her daughter Sophia! And thank you, dear Susan for the breath of fresh springtime air. I can smell the bluebells! Seeing your pressed flowers reminded me that I too used to press flowers and used them to decorate my stationary for letter writing. Wouldn’t my pen pals be happy to find such lovely blooms when we visit at the mailbox? Once again you’ve inspired me in Smallville. Have a lovely day.
I love opening an old book in an antique store and finding a flower. So I’m putting them in my books now, to thrill the future finders of America. 🙂
Hello Susan! Congratulations to the lucky winners Linda & daughter Sophia!!!! You make us all feel like winners Susan with your spectacular mood-boosting photos of those beautiful Bluebells!!! (I could just dive right into that picture right now!!!) Thank you again for the Birthday Planner, I just printed it out! However, I can’t seem to print out the newest bookmark…..it’s coming out as a black rectangle. (A mystery? I’m feeling a lot like the lost student in the back row in the classroom! Oh my!) The snow is coming down so pretty in Dearborn, Michigan, as I type. Maybe it’s the snow causing the fuzziness in my computer printer!!!!
Is it printing out now Carilyn? If not, could you please write [email protected]/~susanbs3/susanbranch/ and ask Kellee what you can do to make it work? Maybe she needs to fix something. Thank you!
yes, indeed ~ a Wonder~full day ~ full of magic and full of the hopes of Spring a~comin’ soon ~~~ a brightly blue and sunshiney day in west Wales {after a slow start ~ for slow read wet and grey} that is picking up at a rate of knots! Hey, I might even dry some laundry outside again today ~ now that makes me smile ~ a line full of laundry billowing in the winter sunshine ~~~
Well done to Linda and Sophia! What a tea party that will be, I’m sure 🙂
Love, love, love looking at all the promises of Spring ~~~ Is it too early to put the “Spring” into cleaning? It is what I’m up to today anyway ~ lots of stuff going to the charity shops, and in date cans and packets of food going to the food bank too.
I am currently reading “Beatrix Potter’s Gardening Life” in the hopes that I can find some inspiration for my Garden in The Shire ~~~ oh, and seed catalogues too! I love reading seed catalogues in January ~~~
~~~Waving from Across the Pond~~~Debs in Wales xoxo
p.s. ~ Spring Cleaning the freezer too, after Christmas ~ and what did I find? Only two Sugar Moon Brownies {for they freeze very well if you let them} so I’m off to make a lovely mug of tea for threeses! 😉
You should leave testimonials on Ray’s SugarMoon Blog . . . but probably you already did Debs! 🙂
Lovely, lovely post! LOVED the beautiful pix of Maggie-dog romping through the fields. MY Maggie-dog lab passed last year…miss her so…but what wonderful memories. Such a fantastic way to start the day. Thank you, Miz Sue.
Our pets are so fabulous! All of them, everywhere, just the best! Glad you enjoyed it Linda!
Debs ,Can i come to Wales and help u eat the Sugar Moon Brownies please they sound so yummmy . Thanks for reminding me . Have a great week Cheyenne from Henderson Nv XXX
I think you are going to the perfect place for inspiration! Waving back dear Debs!
Hi Susan,
I was just wandering what pen did you use in your diary? And…when you created these pages, did you paint then write or did you write and then leave room for illustrations and photos?
Thanks in advance,
Nicole in MD
If you are talking about the “real” diary, the one I’m showing in these pictures, that was just done with any pen, maybe a fine marker or a ball point, depending on what I had around. It wasn’t for publication, just for us. For that book, I left spaces (we were getting photos developed as we went along — there were still stores for that everywhere back in 2004) … I wrote, left spaces; when the photos were developed, I found one that fit in the space that showed the events I had written about.
Thank you Susan, for the beautiful mini break featuring the wildflowers of the English countryside. How did you know, when I finished the last page of A FINE ROMANCE, that I wished for more-more-more? Between what you share with us and my pictures from London, I can pretend I am still in England. Wanted to thank you also for having your wonderful wall calendar printed on paper that’s non-glossy enough to write on with a pencil and erase if necessary. I got awfully tired of those super-glossy calendars on which I always had to cross out things that would only show up if I wrote in pen.
I agree, I don’t like them either . . . but some people do, so I guess it’s a fifty-fifty, but at least you and I are happy!
Me too! My kids’ hockey schedules are constantly being changed around, and it’s so nice not to have to cross things out. My calendar is right by our table so that we can look it over at breakfast, and shiny-crossed-out-ugly calendars used to depress me a little. So happy that my mother-in-love gives me yours every year for Christmas now 🙂
I just love that expression “Mother-in-love!”
Susan, I truly loved the wall around England while looking at flowers. So pretty. I adore the stone walls with flowers growing in them. I love that movie. also. Thank you for the bookmark. Congrats to the tea party winners. Blessings, xoxo,Susie
You are welcome, thank you Susie!
Dear Susan
Thank you for a lovely “springtime post.” Today is my dad’s 90th birthday and my son’s 29th.
I am so happy that the birthday boys are celebrating another year together, and your post
today added more joy to a happy day!! Thanks again!!
Happy Birthday to the Boy’s — how lovely they can celebrate together!
Maureen, Give your dad a big Happy 90th Birthday kiss. You are so blessed to have your father my left way too soon. Also to your Son on his 29th BD that great. ARe they born on the same day or same month. At any rate congrats to the Boys . Think of the things your father has seen in 90 yrs what changes in the world we live in . Happy days to you all Cheyenne from Henderson Nv , its getting warm out side today.Spring is on its way
Another wonderful post yet again! I love when you take us to the English countryside. I was in a completely different world just now sitting at my work desk, getting wonderfully lost in those fields of bluebells when…. DIIIINNNNGGGG!!!… the morning school bell jolts me to reality. Cannot wait to be whisked away again in your next post! XOXO
Reality has a way of ringing that bell doesn’t it Samantha! Oh well, happy day!
Dear Susan,you are so kind and giving! I’m so happy for Linda and her little girl! Hope they have many fun tea parties! It was fun to enter! Thank you for a taste of Spring! Love the flowers and pictures of England I started to read A Fine Romance again and it’s hard to put it down and go back to work! Have a great day and stay warm!
You too, Cindy, thank you!
You cheer me, dear Susan, each and every time I peak into your blog. I can’t wait for the Vineyard Haven tour — we’ve stayed there and “stalked” your house many years’ ago. I’m sure it looks exactly the same!
Yes, that’s part of the good news around here, mostly nothing changes, at least from the outside.
I would very much love a walk through town in the snow. All we have
here in the low country is sand. But it is nice, too. I know you feel
really, really bad that all of the girlfriends couldn’t win, right? But
you definitely made up for it with the trip to the English countryside
and I thank you very much. It was fantabulous! Have fun at your
tea party Mom and Daughter!
Best I could do considering!
You did great! We appreciate all of the time and talent
that you share with us. So generous!
ALL GORGEOUS! I need to return to England for bluebell time and remember my childhood! It’s all so glorious. Last year I went in April and caught some bluebells gracefully growing in some of the London parks!
Thank you for the new bookmark. I’ve bought some thicker paper, almost a light cardboard, to print the lovely gifts you give us!
Perfect Sandra!
Sandra,
Could you tell me what pattern you used for the stars and snowflakes, that are on your blog??? I like the sparkly cotton crochet yarn! Great pictures on the blog.
Margot
I love your journal page AND all the England looks!
Yay for the winner! Lucky duck!
Wasn’t Downton good this week? I loved it!
REALLY good, very complicated, I loved it too! We need to talk!
The gorgeous dog is a rescued one by the way…a borzoi cross we think…and her name is Maggie! She is the fastest dog I know that isn’t a greyhound! Such a wonderful, happy, shiny post. I can smell all those flowers and fresh air! Xoxo
I loved her, will never forget. Ah Ray, those were such special days!
Rachel, it is strange to see you with dark hair! I just adore you as a blonde! xo
Me too, it was a very good call. She’s so “Marilyn!”
Yes the dark wasn’t good…now I would be mouse crossed with salt & pepper!! My mum has pure white hair…when I’m sure I’m the same way, I will let the blonde go! I was a blonde child, but it went darker…thanks Karen! Ps got Maggie’s breed wrong…should have said she’s a SALUKI cross!! Xx
You are lucky to have those genes Rachel!
Rachael I love you in Blonde it makes you look great. I cant wait to try your brownies way far from you in Las Vegas Nv. I would love the recipe if you ever put it in a cook book a bit of a Legacy to leave behind so if one cant get to your store then when they can make brownies then they will think of you. What a great friend you have in Sue n Joe. Such blessings. I also love your heritage of your father n Grand father being a baker. I would have given any thing to have that Legacy also. Have a great week . You and your husband look made for each other. Love your furry child too . Love to you Cheyenne from Henderson Nv , its getting warm out side a few more weeks it will be in the 70s we dont have cold weather long here in the desert or as George Clooney would say Americas Playground from the movie Oceans Eleven the new version. I am related to Frank Sanatra. One sm favor could you squeeze a brownie through the computer please . Id love that…..yummmm
You make me smile Cheyenne!
Oh, honey, you’re gorgeous anyway you look at it! 🙂
She speaks the truth! 🙂
Susan I am so thrilled i make you Smile since you do that for so many others , you need some one to do it for you too. I love you Sue and dearest Minu (tiny kitten in French) and sweet Joe. Come to LasVegas and I will take you to some great places n have Tea like down under originally from Australia but we do tea too . Have to the best day and know that your loved by all of us. I could see u at Downton easily that was your time , but so is today sort of Love to you my sweet. Cheyenne from Henderson so i wont forget where i live for now i want to move to bainbridge and have an island too . Smooche to the fur babies XXX
Rachel XOXO Magie is such a delight! What a wonderfully perfect picture.
Susan, you captured her JOY of freedom and being with those she loves. I can lift my hear up and take a long breath of the freshness of the countryside. It’s just like we are all there with Rachel and her family 🙂
Dear New Friend Susan, I am new to your blog and enjoying all the beautiful pictures, photos, quotes etc. that you have for us. How nice that a mother daughter twosome won the teapot prize. And, thank you for the bookmark. Most of all thank you for being here bringing beauty and calm into the world. It is a joy to visit with you. Maybe someday you will write a book about your train travels across the US. It was fun to travel with you this Oct.
Welcome Judy, happy to have you here. Thank you!
Your post did cheer me up but it also made me want to pack my bags and travel! Winter here has been very disappointing in that we have no snow and the temperatures have been more like April than January. I expect to see flowers in my yard any day now. Oh well, what can you do but enjoy the mild days and dream of the Lake District, or York, or the Cotswolds! I think I may need to read your book again. Thanks for getting my day off to a dreamy start.
Happy to do it! I could say the same to you!
Oh my! The English countryside! Is there anything more beautiful to see on a cold, dreary winter day than bluebells and fields of buttercups?! I think not! Thank you, too, for the perfect bookmark! I shall print it off and laminate it right away! I love that quote….it’s all about the magical in life! Yes, we need some debriefing on DA! I have all sorts of thoughts and “wonderings” swirling around in my head! For instance, could it have been Anna who went to see Mr. Green and pushed him into the street, and not Mr. Bates? Green was heard by a witness saying “Why have you come?”. Hmmm….. And then Cora mentioned that her father was Jewish….I don’t recall hearing that before. I wonder, going forward and into WWII if they will bring that into the storyline? Such a good season! Congrats, too, to Linda and Sophia! What a treasure! xo
Anna? I suppose they could make her do that, but it seems out of character. Murder OK, but aiding and abetting promiscuity is not? Not our Anna! 🙂
So true! Just pure speculation and we all know that our beloved DA throws these terrible curves at us! I loved that interchange at the end between Mary and Grandmama when Violet was getting into the car. And sitting in Violet’s parlor….Mary is SO good with the coy looks, isn’t she?!
Yes he does, and yes she is!
What beautiful pictures this morning….I can almost smell spring! I will be getting “a Fine Romance” out again…..can not wait.
Today is a girlfriends birthday, and she will be getting your bookmark in her card! What fun! Thank you.
“Congrats” to Linda and Sophia. I can imagine many wonderful “teas” on the way in their household.
Thank you again for the bookmark, and many other wonderful “print outs” that you have so graciously shared with those of us that so love you !
You are so welcome Sandy! Thanks for being here and Happy Birthday to your friend!
Hi Susan, Congrats to the mother/daughter winners, and I’m sure they are thrilled. Loved seeing all the wild flowers and from this post I can tell you have Springtime on your mind. Enjoyed reading every bit of it.
Baking a Pound Cake right now since I’m having the women over tomorrow to play Left, Right, Center. We so enjoy it because we can all talk and play at the same time. We have 10 in our group but this time 8 will be coming which is perfect around the dining room table.
Better end her and I’ll be watching for all your future blogs! Luv & hugs, Gail xoxo
Must look up Left, Right, Center!
What gorgeous flowers! Loving those bluebells! Beautiful post today giving us a touch of spring.
Congratulations to the mother/daughter winners of this fantastic giveaway!
xo Nellie
Already printed my bookmark and cut it out, ready to use. Thanks! I just received “Beatrix Potter A Journal” from your shopping site and looking forward to taking my time reading and looking at all the pictures?
Now I want to watch “Pride and Prejudice” again.
Be sure to look for the secret surprise inside the back cover.
CONGRATULATIONS to the Mother Daughter Team! Ah! What sweet bonds are between mothers and daughters 🙂
Isn’t it marvelous how pictures can transport us away from realism… if only for an instant… And yet that MAGIC turns out to be our realism! How wonderful!
The RAIN scene… Susan! I must see that movie 🙂
XOXO over hill and vale from Yardville,
Georgie NJ
..congratulations to Lynda and Sophia !!.. may your good fortune be the beginning of many shared tea parties !!.. and thank you, Susan, for taking us all back to England ; what magical countryside !!..(and I know that I will never be too old for fairytales !! ).. with love, as always….
Dear Susan, do you email the winner first to get their last name before you announce the winner? I didn’t give my last name because I didn’t want it on my comment for everyone to read. Sorry.
Whatever is written by the person who makes the comments is what I put up (since they already have). So for you, it would just be Cindy . . . but that would be fine. If I’m understanding your question?
That was lovely! Thank you so much!
Do those pretty flowers grow here in the northeast too? I am guessing they must be bulbs. When we moved to this house a few years ago I was surprised there wasn’t a single bulb in this yard. Each year I have been adding tulips, daffodils, day lilies and iris. I’m so lucky that I was able to get most of my bulbs from my dad, who is a wonderful gardener. This year, I’m finally adding crocuses but I bought them late so I’ll have to sneak them in during a thaw and hope for the best. We do have rabbits and deer, as well as other visitors, but so far, so good!
Oh, those flowers and the English countryside….just what I needed to see on this foggy morning in Northern California. Thank you for so much pleasure. So happy for Linda and Sophia and the teatimes that are going to take place. Happy Day!
Congrats to Linda and Sophia! Lucky winners of the teapot giveaway! I guess I cannot be too envious, I just purchased my ticket this morning for my trip England to attend my God-daughters wedding in February!! I have been shopping and shopping for the best price….finally I closed my eyes and pressed the confirm purchase tab….and I AM ON MY WAY!! My visit is for 20 days!
I have been collecting items to pack and deciding what my wardrobe should consist of. I have my dress, shoes, fascinator, jewelry for the wedding all waiting to go. I am getting that goose-bumpy feeling just thinking about it!!
My cousin sent me a picture of the snowdrops that are up and blooming in her garden she lives in Gloucestershire. So Spring is on its way, we have put in a request for the wedding day forecast to be a crisp frosty morning, blue skies and sunshine for the afternoon!! Thank you so much for sharing those gorgeous photos of the blue bells, it brings back wonderful memories that I have of standing in a blue bell woods and it is absolutely magical!! The fragrance, bird song, breeze in the trees and clouds and clouds of bluebells as far as the eye can see! I will have to get my photos out and gaze at the wonder of it. The rock walls are wonderful too and castle ruins, what can compare!! All of the UK is magical!
Have a superb Wednesday and blessings to you Susan!
Hugs,
Candice
I love bluebells. As you see my blog is called Bluebell woods. I have those pictures on my blog already. I am from England, living in the USA since 1971. Your book made me homesick and gives me the incentive to go back when and if I can. I loved Yorkshire, what I was able to see of it. I have not been to Middleham and that surprises me as I am a fan of Richard 111………….
Janice
I’m sure you see they found his remains? Wasn’t that wonderful!?
Disappointed that I didn’t win the teapot but the trip through sunny fields of flowers in the English countryside helped to ease the pain! I’m surprised that the bluebells are already coming up — always amazed at how far north England is but yet the climate is milder than here in good ol’ N.J.
Would love to see the streets of the Haven. The sun came up over the ridge
at 7:20 AM this morning — and now it’s gray again. Has it been gray on the Vineyard? For the last month and a half it seems that gray is our new normal — not much snow but we’ve had ice and cold.
I know you enjoy your birds — our Mourning Dove family has been growing by leaps and bounds. We used to have 8 Doves at our feeder and now we have 12!
My husband is planning to build a huge platform feeder with a roof to accommodate them. (We can’t put seed on the ground because our 2 Labrador Retrievers will eat it!) We also have cardinals, titmice, juncos, woodpeckers, nuthatches, and goldfinches. They make my day!
JoAnne
We’ve had lots of sunshine, frozen sunshine, but at least lots of blue skies ~ it’s coming up like that now. Good thing, because we are taking the ferry to the Mainland in about an hour. Enjoy those birds JoAnne!
I would LOVE to see what is going on in your home. (and your small town during the winter) It’s delightful to “visit” with you. ~tara
Thank you Susan for showing Middleham! I am in the middle of watching The White Queen (for the second time!) Many references to Middleham but nothing to show how absolutely magical it must be in person! I love England for its beauty and history–how lucky that such links to the past still exist for us to explore and enjoy! Thank you for sharing your endless talent, your beautiful photos and for inspiring hopes and dreams! What gifts! xo
Congratulations Linda and Sophia! I know you will enjoy! And thank you Susan for the beautiful post today, with a cuppa tea while reading, it is wonderful. And thank you for the sweet bookmark, and many blessings back to you.
Thank you for sharing! P&P a favorite of mine!
Those are two lucky people. I had such a notion this time to have my husband enter the contest because he’s the lucky one who can always win contests! When we needed a new outdoor grill and one was being given away at our local grocery store I put his name on the paper because he’s lucky that way, and he won it!! So you see why I was leaning that way, but I heartily congratulate the two winners. So happy to see the beautiful photos of flowers in England, and a peek at your diary from your earlier visit. And, on my daughter’s recommendation, I just watched this version of Pride and Prejudice last week! Also the Colin Firth/Jennifer Ehle version. Like both so much! They are my daughter’s favorites. Yesterday we watched a Bollywood adaptation of Sense and Sensibility called I Have Found It which was good, and I have Northanger Abbey borrowed from the Library to watch. And now I see it’s snowing!!
You are set Marianne!
Oh, to be in England… Thank you for the lovely – though brief- tour. The bluebells ARE magical! Are they truly blooming NOW – in January?! I can hardly imagine such a thing!!
And the visit with Miss Bennett and Mr. Darcy – what a treat!!
It will be quite a change to go back to the reality of a snowy January day in Pennsylvania. But then there is a wonderfully different sort of beauty on such a day as this.
Can hardly wait for the tour of your little bit of ‘Haven’. XOXO
Rachel told me they are just beginning to put their heads above ground, not blooming yet!
I LOVE Bluebells, Thank you!!! I even have bluebell hand cream from England. I am inspired to walk today OUTSIDE, before Winter comes back. Is Spring coming early to England? Why are those bluebells blooming already?
I like it that a mother is sharing Susan (you) with her daughter. We must keep the home arts alive, love of a country walk or botanical if you are in the city with a cup of tea to follow while reading mail from a dear friend.
There are calendars of yours on calendars.com. In case some girlfriends didn’t get theirs.
Good Morning!!! I want to go into the woods and walk amoungst the BLUEBELLS…
Go into the Haven after a fresh snow to take the pictures. I am a small town girl.
Morning Margot! We are heading to the Mainland this morning for a day of stocking up with stuff we need. But we are taking Smallville with us (we try to take it everywhere we go). Have a wonderful day! xoxo
xoxo back to you! Fair winds and following seas.
I think my first comment from yesterday is lost. I can see it, but I don’t think you can.
I will, but the way it works is the most recent comments are what I see first . . . I “moderate” as many as I can, but sometimes there are so many, I give up and go to sleep. When I wake up, more have come in, like this morning, and I begin again, but I have to leave to go to the Mainland on the 8am ferry . . . so if I don’t get them all done (which I’m trying to do right now), when I get home, more will have arrived, and those that came in first, get piled onto until they “seem” to be gone, but it’s just that they are at the bottom of the pile! Never fear, slowly but surely, the tortoise will win the race!
Oh good Margot, that’s nice to hear. Thank you!
I was just surfing the internet to help you. Afterall, I can’t surf the ocean now! LOL
Loved seeing all the flower pics, I would love to go back to England and appreciate their beauty. But my favorite picture is the one of the steamship/boat at the end of the post. Adorable!!
Reading your blog is like a breath of fresh air on this grey gloomy day!! Thank you.
Dear Susan,,,,this reality is ever so much better than any old magic! I feel so refreshed and uplifted after retouring the beautiful English countryside with you. Kindred spirits, indeed~! xox sandy 🙂
Oh, Susan! Thank you so much for the most lovely Springtime walk through the English countryside. I dream of seeing flowers growing along the old stone walls. Just thinking about it makes me so excited!! It will be such fun to take a snowy walk through the Haven on Martha’s together. Can’t wait! Heartfelt thanks for so much inspiration, dearest Susan!
Happy painting!
Love,
Dawn
♡♡
Such a lovely ride through the English countryside!! I so love flowers, i always have some fresh on my table, part of my grocery list. Thanks for the beauty and serenity, i still hear the birds chirping!!!
Congratulations to Linda and Sophia!
Hugs to you Susan!!
I always have them too Christine, my own little extravagance, just can’t help it.
Loved seeing the pictures of the Dales and Lake District. Reminds me of my fall trip there last year as we traveled through those areas. Oh my, I feel homesick for England. My ancestors came over from England not long after the Mayflower so my connections go way back. Maybe that is why I love England so much. It is buried deep within my soul. Love the bookmarks, thank you so much.
I think it’s the same for me. How else do I explain stopping the car in the Dales, looking out over the forever view, the stone houses, the lambs, hearing the wind in the wildflowers and crying? Beyond everything.
Yay, Linda and Sophia!!! And, by the way, I love the outfit Vanna chose to wear today 🙂
Me too, pushing the season a bit, but very festive! 🙂
I think I left a reply in the wrong place, so will try it again. Thanks for the little break from WINTER in MN. It was lovely to look at the photos of the flowers and remember that we will see them here in 3 short (?) months. 🙂 And thank you for the bookmark. May I make a request? In the area of the photos of bluebells in this post, there is a quote and little painting of two sparrows on a branch of apple blossoms. Could you make that a bookmark sometime in the future? Thanks! 🙂
You can leave your reply anywhere Pat, just so you know, because, on this side of things, they all come to the same place. I’ll keep the bird bookmark in mind, would be perfect for actual spring! Thank you!
Wonderful blog!! Makes me feel like tackling my spring cleaning early in anticipation and celebration of spring being right around the corner!!
Reading your blog always puts a spring in my step!!
Thank you!
Blessings!!!
Nel E
Hi Susan,I was wondering as you are a Emma Bridgewater fan if you had seen her new book,Emma Bridgewater Toast & Marmalade and other stories.A great book all about her life the pottery and various recipes with lovely pictures.Thankyou for brightening up my days as it is rather dull and cold here in the uk at the moment.
I am myself a botanical illustrator and love all your drawings and watercolours.
Thankyou Claire
Yes I have that book! Happy painting you lucky girl! And thank you!
Dear Susan, It is snowy and windy here in New Hampshire, but your lovely pictures gave me a breath of Spring! I loved seeing the bluebells!
It’s snowing here in northern Illinois and is foggy – a gray day. Your post with those lovely photos brightened my day. Bless you!
The sun is shining here in northern Michigan and seeing all the gorgeous flowers made me think it was spring/summer even though it was 8* this morning…in springtime, we are lucky to have carpets of trillium in our woodsy areas…just like the bluebells only white…what a treat to revisit your sojourn in England…thank you…xoxo…
Sigh. I just finished the lovely rain scene from P & P and I’m carried away by romance. I just may pop that DVD in while I sew today.
Lovely post – bluebells! Queen Anne’s lace! Buttercups! Such lovely things to look forward to.
It’s the perfect sewing movie! ‘Cours,e be sure to look up at the end when Mr. Darcy comes walking out of the fog!
My son gave me a “photo frame” with a flash drive for photos. In addition to my darling grandchildren’s photos, I put the photos from my trip to England (London, Suffolk, and Hampshire) last May. Every time I walk by and one of those photos appears, I’m transported back to the wonderful time my friends and I had. Thanks for your photos and memories.
Great idea!
Thank you for the beautiful pictures and the “push” for me to see the sights. We are going to Ireland in June, my first trip across the pond. I’m not much of an adventurer and worry about my husband driving and all the things travel can bring. You are an inspiration and I will focus on enjoying every little thing!
Yes, and don’t forget Peah-Cida at lunch (if it’s something you like; very medicinal, it got so Joe would order FOR me! :-), It did help to soften the worry. The beauty will out-weigh everything, and the memories will last your whole life. xoxo Have fun!
Hi Judy! I read your post and wanted to say you will love, love, love Ireland. We have been twice now and hope to go back again sometime. The hardest part for me was the long flight over. Once you get past that – you will be in heaven. We found the people to be warm and friendly and the countryside is gorgeous. We liked the food too! June is a great time to go – so much in bloom! Enjoy!
hi susan!…oh joy oh rapture!! I love each and every post but this one is especially cheery… and perfect timing!!! I keep “A Fine Romance” very handy and refer to it often for inspiration when in search of a feel-good-moment….. this wonderful post just epitomizes the beauty and simplicity of England… so glad “we” took that trip!! Every picture is more scrumptious than the one before and to be able to capture the essence of it all in writing is a gift you have……lovely..just lovely…now onto DA…Karen’s theory is an interesting one…you never know what lengths a person will go to to protect those they love… they have certainly set up several intriguing story lines….am curious as to Barrows’ secret phone calls and Cora’s roving eye (?)…and what ever happened to Mr. Carson and Mrs. Hughes budding romance (maybe)..especially since he doesn’t like it if they are not on the same page….oh crikey!!…so much to consider… happy teapot win to Linda and Sophia!!!… have a blissfully happy day susan and everyone!!! only 58 more days ’til Spring!!!! love, cindy
Thank you Cindy, let the countdown begin! (although let it go slowly, I’m not done in the quiet times quite yet!)
What a lovely trip to take on a January morning! I especially loved the photos of the pathway through the bluebells. I can imagine exploring that trail and smelling the flowers. And the photo of the rock wall overgrown with fairy Foxgloves leaves me realizing, how much water must rain down on that area for it to be so green and lush. Astounding, especially as I live in the arid, dry, desert area of So. California. Thank you!
How beautiful to see the flowers on such a snowy day here in Ohio! It certainly brightened up my birthday. I’ve read A Fine Romance twice already, but I guess a third time wouldn’t hurt! LOL! Enjoy your day and thanks for sharing with us.
I love that a mom & daughter won – such lovely anticipation for the arrival of the package for both of them, together! And I loved, loved, loved Vanna’s outfit – she out did herself this time 🙂
Someday when you are thinking about bookmarks, would you consider the Secret Garden quote within this post and my all time favorite that helps me often, the toxic world, well of sweetness quote. Thank you.
Oh, and I bought the most beautiful primroses at the nursery yesterday and could smell Spring!
I wrote that down Barbara! Primroses, so wonderful in the spring!
Dearest Sue, Thank you so much for the lovily break and the walk down memory lane. What beautiful flowers and such wonderful sights. I cant wait to go there and those cottages for rent are so quaint. I cherish the day i get to go to England and have a real holiday. The sm streets will be a def adjustment but a well rewarded one. Have a great day. Know that what you do is so important and that YOU help so many people . Some times all it takes is a kind word or a beautiful memory shared. or in this case a awesome pic of BlueBells loving them . I would def say you started a kindness movement.In this world today we need that as much as we need air or water in my book and im sure the girlfriends would def agree. So know you are so loved by me and millions of fans or woman who love to be kind in a not so kind world at times. Thank you for being my friend and a friend to so many. Ponder this some times your kindness is all some people recieve in their day. I my self am an extrovert , so i seek out people and I am def kind n show love and attention to those who sometimes thats the only kind word or gesture they will recieve that day.So keep up the great work is what im trying to say. All my love to you and Joe and to the Kitties and Thank you for the joy you have given me today. My Grand son Jake Ashley is having surgery today he is 3 so it bothers me to see my Son Ashley go through that but i know God will watch out for him so you have made me day it made me worry a little less. The beauty of the English country side. Love Cheyenne of Henderson Nv P.S. a new email for me….
Good luck with Jake, he’s in my prayers, only three! Poor little thing. Hope all is well.
Beautiful. All of it. It’s sunny and warm here (southern CA) today but still “winter.” Your pics and quotes and descriptions from the trip add to the anticipation of spring. Today I picked the first of the sweet peas. A little late this year but just as beautiful. Thanks for another wonderful post. So glad the tea pot, book, and tea tin with tea will make wonderful memories for a mother and her daughter. Good work Vanna.
The flower or the food? In my garden in California, Sweet Peas (the flower) bloomed from around March until late August! Just amazing, huge bouquets of that sweetest smelling flower — because here in humidity-ville, they don’t like it much, and I can rarely eek out more than 5 or 6 flowers.
I have never seen Pride and Prejud. I will def have to get the DVD love those movies have to go through your movie favs. Thank you for the awesome book mark what a grand gift. Have a great day ,pet Jack n Miss Kitty for me . Love to you Cheyenne from Henderson Nv
Will do Cheyenne — you will LOVE Pride and Prejudice!
Cheyenne…go ….go get it now ! the one with Keira Knightley.
you will adore it…trust me !
New goal for this week: re re re reread “A Fine Romance!”
Ha ha ha! re re re!
Susan, the wildflowers are a delight, and I can feel the Dales beckoning! Who could avoid being inspired is such a setting? It’s just our cup of tea! ( The Dales are also the setting for a series I enjoy by Gervase Phinn, a school inspector for that area.) The view from the castle was enchanting, and it’s true – we are never too old for fairy tales. I enjoyed the glimpse into your journal. I like the idea of using actual photos in them. What fun to go back and relive the experience again. Congrats to Linda and Sophie – how excited they must be!
Beautiful blog!!! Congrats to Linda and Sophia, enjoy !! Thank you for the cute bookmark Susan, love it! The Yorkshire Dales, and the Lake District are dream worthy for sure…..sigh….
Just what I needed today, the beautiful pictures of fields of flowers and the Musica with the birds singing and bees buzzing. We had a nasty snowy morning, only a few inches, but nasty on the roads! It’s moved out now, but we might get more. Congratulations to Linda and Sophia, so glad a mother/daughter team won because I’m sure they’ll have a lot of fun having tea parties with that teapot. Thanks for the bookmark, it says just as I feel because we all need a little magic this time of year.
We do, make one for someone you love! xoxo
I look forward to the winter streets of Haven. The days are definitely lengthening here so I don’t mind winter and photos of winter right now.
Me either, I don’t mind a bit.
Always wonderful to see sights of England.. my second home( in my heart)…….wonderful bluebells indeed……….but also in Spring are daffodils and jonquils everywhere….road sides, ditches, grave yards and even more enticing with all the new lambs about. Did I see a sparkle in Lady Mary’s eye when Tom said that if she loved him, she would support him?….stay tuned………..
Nancy
Oh I hope so, it would be perfect for the children since they already consider themselves brother and sister . . . plus we like him, he’s cute and smart ~ and TRUSTWORTHY, and this would get him away from that duck face teacher who keeps lurking around him! I like it!
OMG….. That is what she reminds me of “Duck Face ” teacher ! LOL ! I kept thinking what animal I mean FOUL ! 🙂
The girl we love to hate! Poor thing, I hope she wears a disguise when she goes out in real life. I mean if she gave anyone even a speck of advice they would want to crush her!
We thought the SAME THING!! We would love Lady Mary and Tom to get together. Then the Dowager would HAVE to call him Tom or Lord Tom or something, other than “Branson.” 🙂
Loved your beautiful post. Brought back so many memories of my driving thru the Yorkshire dales and Lake District, Devon and Cornwall with my sister back in the late 70’s. Unfortunately, the car rental gave us a full size Ford with right hand stirring wheel. I am normally a fast driver but this trip really slowed me down. My sister was really cool and only told me once to slow down and enjoy the scenery. It was good advice. The scenery is so beautiful. Wonderful memories.
Thanks for bringing them back. Kathy
Wonderful memories!
I am having palpitations GALORE because that is one of my most favorite scenes in my most favorite version of Pride and Prejudice- aside from the one where Lizzie tells Lady Catherine de Bourgh that she “has nothing more to say” and tells her that she “must leave immediately”…she takes a walk just before sunrise to find Mr. Darcy walking towards her from across the field. Ohhhhh be still my beating heart.
I LOVE the bluebells and you are the best, Susan. Thank you for brightening my day.
Lady Catherine de Bourgh!!! 🙂
Oh my….I was just wept along on the journey…smelling flowers, strolling the paths…….and then the door opened and a customer walked in!!!! OH I am at work!!!
Congratulations to Linda and her daughter….hope you have the sweetest tea party!
Gotta GO!
Chris
xoxo Chris!
That was SWEPT! I do not type well when rushed!
Congratulations to lucky Linda and Sophia! What a fun giveaway. Thank you Susan for the cute bookmark and all the wildflower pictures, etc. You always know how to soften the blow, because we all love magic after all.
Thank you so much for a walk among the wildflowers. I was starting to feel blue, but your beautiful photos perked me right up. Do we want to see photos of The Haven? Yes please! We want “more! more ! more!” of anything you want to share with us. Stay warm!
Such a lovely diversion from the snow falling here in Maryland. If you take us on a tour of downtown MV, can you stop by the HGTV dream house to let us see the outside? Congratulations to the tea winners.
Well, it’s the downtown of my town, there are six on the island, and the dream house is over on the other side. You’ve probably seen better photos than I could take, haven’t you?
Lol, i cant help but giggle , (” eep, move over “) was my mantra as well! We spent last august driving around the UK, north yorkshire, the dales, lakes, hadrians wall, wales, 2 weeks in scottland ( LOVE scottland!). Narrow lanes, stone walls, and a car in which you could not see the hood made for heart stopping drives! So many times i thought my passenger side door would run into the wall! DH had a hard time parking along curbs and blew out a tire one day. Other than that it was a wonderfull trip. So much fun to see the places you wrote about in a fine romance :). I even brought someone home with me from the lakes, he nearly jumped into my arms and said take me with you! Mr samuel e whiskers now sits on my dresser, he is a steif version, so wished i could have brought his friends along as well. Your blog today brings back happy memories of our trip! I can hardly wait to go back! Thank you for the lovlies and smiles!!
LOL, I relate so well! My thing was not being able to see around the curves on those narrow country roads; we would be crushed against walls and hedges on the left side of the road, but it felt like everyone came bursting around corners toward us, driving right down the middle of the street. Thank goodness for the beeping noise we had in our car, telling us when we were too close to a wall. I kept waiting to hear the scraping of stone against my door.
Congrats to the Happy Winners! (we all are, really, we just got a taste of Spring flowers thru your photos….). Wish you’d give a talk/slide presentation at the Pacific Northwest Flower & Garden show in Seattle–that’s our first taste of Spring here in February….and when you walk in, the smell of hundreds of blooming hyacinths warms your heart ♥ Thanks for the bookmark, too!
Now that would be a smell I could really get into! How wonderful!
Just last week I was sitting and freezing in Kokomo IN, having fun and writing you a little poem. Friday my dad had a stroke. So today I’m in Arkansas hanging out with my precious father. Life changes quickly, but as I checked my emails as he slept, there was your lovely blog, a lighthearted piece of my life outside of this situation. It refreshed me today. Thank you!
Praying he comes through it OK Debbie . . .xoxo
Oh! Congrats to the winners and Congrats to us for the wonderful pictures of English sun and spring! I keep looking for signs of it and there are a tiny few bits of green in the garden but most are in the displays at the grocery store. LOL I am so enchanted by your photos and wish there were a way to make them into my screensaver, but then I would get nothing ever done because I would be dreaming all day….not a bad idea!
The photos of the bluebells made me think about our batch, currently sleeping under the snow. Ours are from the Paine Art Center gardens in Oshkosh, WI. The house is modeled after an English castle (imagine living there in the middle of the early 20th century in Oshkosh, WI). The beautiful gardens are also modeled on English gardens and sometimes when you’re lucky, you can get plants from them!
Have they come up in past years, or will this be their first?
Thank you so much, Susan, for the lovely tour through the wild flowers of England. I really feel as if spring is on the way. We’ve some snowdrops popping through (here on the south end of Vancouver Island), and also, early cherry blossoms are starting to emerge. It would be lovely to take a stroll down the streets of your town. I’ve always wanted to see your beautiful island. Is it anything like mine? Probably not, your part of the country is so much older than mine, and so much history. Although, there are a few cobbled streets in downtown Victoria.
Would be fun to wiggle our noses thereby exchanging islands for the day!
Yes, wouldn’t that be fun. For the past few years I’ve been telling my family that I’m not going anywhere unless I can drive there (I hate flying). A drive to the East Coast would be lovely, or maybe, the train.
Congratulations to Linda and Sophia (what a beautiful name!) . . . we are happy for you both. And thank you Susan for helping the rest of us with our no-teapot sorrows by looking at wildflowers in England. My favorite has always been Queen Anne’s Lace. I am sure that you have written about this before, but I had to Google the part about its lore and superstitions . . . so interesting. While I love Queen Anne’s Lace . . . I cannot get it to grow here on our farm which is not far from the North Carolina state line and a fall line. If you are traveling north . . . just as soon as you cross the state line you can immediately see Queen Anne’s Lace growing along the roadside. The soil in that area is also made up mostly of red clay versus our very sandy soil here on the farm. I don’t know if this is the reason for tons of wild Queen Anne’s Lace or not, but it sure makes me want to order a truckload of that red clay for special areas just to find out. Thanks again for cheering the rest of us up! It totally worked!
That reminds me. Over the years – have you ever drawn a collection of Christmas cards? I have and enjoy using your everyday cards and see you have Valentine cards – so I was just wondering.
Yes I have . . . sometimes we make some up for Christmas . . . maybe not this year?
Love “eeep, get over!” And that last little sheep with his dancing back leg!
You have a good eye Nancy!
Susan, I’m so excited! My son just showed me how to make all those wonderful spring pictures of yours my screen saver! Now I can sit and dream all day!!
It’s good to have an in-house computer wizard!
What a wonderful wild flower treat – especially the Bluebells 🙂 They grew in a great magical patch under two large cherry trees and beyond in the yard of my youth, planted by my grandmother Anna Carolina. I never knew her – born after she died – but I’ll always remember her Bluebells, peonies, lilacs that lingered in that yard for a long time. She was from Vienna. Now I’m hearing those lovely Viennese waltzes in my head. Maybe Bluebells grew in the Vienna Woods 🙂 Great start to my day. Thanks Susan. How great that a Mother daughter team won the big giveaway. So happy for them.
What a nice memory, Sylvia.
I have many pictures of her and the house and yard and remember things my father shared about her, and as I age have wanted to write about her in order to know her better, imagining what it must have been like to leave Vienna as a young woman and land in Seattle which was a rough muddy logging town in the late 1800’s. I could start with my own appreciation of her flowers. . . Thanks so much for this inspiration. One of your bluebell pictures now graces my laptop background screen. 🙂
Pure bravery. Must have been very lonely sometimes. Cold too.
Thanks for sharing your gifts( thoughts, painting, photos, etc) with us…
A lesson for all of us to give the best of ourselves
so that we can grow more love & happiness.
Thank you Deby!
Oh Happy Day! Congrats to Linda and Sophie! The will adore everything and thank you Susan for the lovely tour of spring flowers = does make a dreary day in Indiana brighten up. I love Pride & Prejudice although I prefer the older one with Colin Firth – but they are both wonderful. As for Downton – love it! The twists and turns – oh my. Little Miss Mary may have made a mistake and poor Granny, how cute is she. Just love it – hope it goes on for years!
Oh Susan…
Talk about Magic!
You, Susan, give us all a sprinkle of MAGIC through your books, calendars, photography, writings and wonderful blog! You add more color to my life by visual examples of beauty on your island and in your home! I was sooooo excited to visit Martha’s Vineyard last May and actually come upon your darling house! When I saw Joe working on his truck, I couldn’t stop myself from crossing the street to say Hello! I so longed to meet you too but still left feeling grateful for the experience…so close, yet so far away! I welled up with tears and emotion when retelling my good fortune to my husband and friends on the ferry. It touched my heart.
Your writings and photos make me l-o-n-g for a trip to England! Those bluebells in the woods are stunning! England is on my bucket list since Montacute House in Somerset was built by my ancestors! It was the estate used for several shots in the film Sense and Sensibility. I would love to see it! Until then, I keep my hopes alive through your glimpses of the English countryside and watching my “neighbors” on Downton Abbey…in my Dreams! 🙂
Oh! We visited Montacute House in 2004! It’s huge! How fun for you to go see it. The gardens were amazing. You’ll love it.
So glad you saw Montacute House and the gardens. I am hoping we can plan a trip and visit in 2017 for our 35th wedding anniversary.
I can’t wait for your new book! And THAT scene from Pride And Prejudice….! I always say to my family, “This is one of THE best movie scenes, Ever.” Love it love it love it!
The whole background, the countryside, when Mrs. Bennett goes running after Lizzy and all the ducks fly! It’s gorgeous!
Yes! I’ve always thought all those flapping bird wings are like Mrs. Bennett’s skirts as she runs after Lizzie. 😉
Oh the uproar!
Linda and Sophia, enjoy your tea! Congratulations!
Thank you for this wonderful post! It has brightened a very gray day. I think I’ll sit down with some seed catalogs and plan my garden.
Which version of Pride and Prejudice is this? I’ve never seen it before and would love to see it.
2005!